22/07/2005
The driver of the No.26 Stagecoach bus involved in one of yesterday's security incidents in London today (22 July 2005) vowed he would be back at work.
Mark Maybanks (38), who was driving the double-decker bus on a route from Waterloo to Hackney when it was involved in an incident in east London, said he and his colleagues would get on with their jobs despite recent events.
"Whatever they do, we are going to be back driving our buses. They are not going to beat us," he said.
"I've got a lot of feelings running round my head at the moment. It was a really frightening experience. My family were just pleased to get me back home in one piece. I need some time, but I definitely want to get back to work."
Mr Maybanks, who has worked with Stagecoach for 18 months, said that at the time of the incident his immediate concern was for passengers on the bus. The incident resulted in minor damage to the bus, but no passengers were injured.
"I'm very thankful that I got everyone off the bus successfully. That was my overriding priority. I just did what I thought needed to be done," he said.
Since the first bombings on 7 July, Londoners have got back on the buses in the Capital and Mr Maybanks urged passengers to keep using public transport.
"We have a brilliant public transport system and the general public should keep on using it," he said.
"We are going to carry on doing what we are doing. It doesn't matter how many times the terrorists try to knock us down, we will get back up again. We will be even stronger. They won't intimidate us and they won't beat us."
Barry Arnold, Managing Director of Stagecoach in London, said: "Our drivers are united in vowing to carry on with their jobs. We are proud of the commitment and determination every one of them has shown. We have been flooded with volunteers offering to help do whatever it takes to keep bus services running."
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680
